Screening of rape victim 1

Getting your child medically examined: If a violent incident like rape has happened to your child, it is important to get her medically examined.What you can expect during the exam:Just before the exam, a trained medical expert like a doctor, counselor or nurse, maybe even a social worker will want to talk to your child and ask her about what transpired. This dialogue, between the child and the expert is important, as it could shape the kind of medical treatment that will be necessary. Talking to trained personnel will help the child get free of some of the trauma associated with the incident, and could go a long way in helping her feel calm and secure again.The medical professional might talk to the child about the exam, what it entails, and arrange for parental consent. Most medical examinations for rape cases usually involve the following:

If your child has attained puberty:

Your child may be tested for sexually transmitted diseases, like HIV and AIDS. Tests pertaining to this could involve the taking of blood samples or saliva samples. Although the very thought of contracting a sexual disease is scary, it is very possible to contract it during the course of rape, so the quicker it is diagnosed, the faster it will be to treat. Your child will be immediately put on treatment and help can be taken to see that the disease does not spread further by taking proper medication.

If your child gives consent, the medical professional can treat her for unwanted pregnancy.

There will be an internal and external examination to check for any injury that might have been caused during the incident of rape.

The medical expert may take samples of hair, skin, nails or body fluids embedded on your child’s clothes or body.

If a rape drug has been administered to your child, the doctor should be able to detect this too.

Pictures of injuries on the body may be taken for future purposes.

Please remember that an incident of rape is a violent, brutal act and the repercussions can be felt long after. But at no cost should a medical examination be avoided, for it will definitely help your child in getting immediate medical attention, and helping her cope with the emotional and mental trauma.